Typhoon Auring now Intensifies to Signal No. 1
Typhoon Auring has started to intensify in many areas in the Philippines. There are about 25 areas that are now on Signal 1. Disaster response teams and units are preparing as Typhoon Auring may pose a threat when strong wind and rain increase.
Typhoon Auring Intensifies
Yesterday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard announced the suspension of all sea trips from Negros Occidental to Cebu after Signal No. 1 was raised in some parts of the Visayas. These trips include San Carlos City to Toledo City, and from Sagay City and Escalante City to Tabuelan town and vice versa.
Signal No. 1 is currently up in several areas, namely: the southeastern portion of Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, and the northern portion of Negros Occidental, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
According to weather forecasts, Tropical Depression Dujuan or Typhoon Auring will pass the Negros Island by late afternoon on February 22, 2021. Yesterday, at 11 p.m., PAGASA said Typhoon Auring will bring moderate to heavy rains to Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte until today. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also expected over Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Quezon, and the rest of Visayas and Caraga.
Signal No. 1 during a typhoon means winds strong enough to bring very light to medium damage to structures and significant damage to rice crops in their flowering stage. According to PAGASA, Typhoon Auring could bring strong to gale-force winds to Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Aurora, and the rest of Visayas and Bicol Region, apart from the areas under the lowest storm alert.
Preemptive Evacuation in the Philippines
In Caraga, authorities have evacuated a total of 1,241 families from their homes. They were brought to 36 temporary shelters. Mining operations in the region are also temporarily suspended due to possible landslides. Travels via sea are also not allowed in the meantime because of rough seas.
In Surigao del Sur, Governor Alexander Pimentel said almost 6,000 residents have been evacuated and are staying in 147 evacuation centers amid the heavy rains. He said the downpour and strong winds toppled trees that in turn, damaged several homes. The local government had to convert one of its halls into a hospital while separating coronavirus-infected residents from other patients. However, he assured that he met with the mayors in the province as well as uniformed personnel to prepare their disaster management response.
“So far, ang target natin ay [our target is] zero casualty,” said Pimentel toCNN Philippines’ Newsroom Weekend.
According to the Coast Guard, 3,071 passengers, drivers, and cargo helpers are stranded in different ports of North Eastern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Bicol Region.
